Optimisation of the organ donor and effects on transplanted organs: a narrative review on current practice and future directions

A retrospective review of the characteristics of patients deemed unsuitable for organ donation in a paediatric intensive care unit over a 5-year period

INTRODUCTION

Children on organ transplant lists are more likely than adult patients to develop complications or die whilst waiting for a transplant. This reflects children's frequent need for size-matched organs, which are rarely available.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to review characteristics of patients deemed unsuitable for organ donation in a paediatric intensive care unit over a 5-year period to identify opportunities for practice improvement.

METHODS

This was a quantitative, retrospective, observational study, using a descriptive design. Data were extracted from the clinical intensive care database STATIC into Microsoft Excel for children who died between the 1st of January 2018 and the 31st of December 2022. Data were analysed descriptively.

RESULTS

Across the 5 years, 226 children died; 94 (41%) were referred to the state organ donation service DonateLife, and 26 (11.5%) became organ donors. Most children died from a cardiac cause. Of the total children who died, 152 (66%) were deemed to be unsuitable for organ donation. The most common reasons for children being deemed unsuitable for organ donation were as follows: poor organ function (46%), pre-existing systemic disease (34%), sepsis (15%), too young (10.5%), and due to legislation (9.8%).

CONCLUSION

This study identified cohorts of patients who were deemed unsuitable for organ donation. Based on published evidence, some of these patients may have been suitable or could have been considered for organ donation. Identifying these cohorts may optimise knowledge translation regarding donor suitability, with the outcome of increasing organ donation opportunities.

The International Human Xenotransplantation Inventory: Current Data and Future Directions

The global demand for organ transplantation outpaces supply, necessitating innovative solutions. Xenotransplantation, using animal organs, cells, and tissues, is a promising solution to address the organ shortage. The World Health Organization and the International Xenotransplantation Association collaboratively established an online inventory in 2006 (www.humanxenotransplant.org) to catalog human xenotransplantation practices. The inventory, managed successively by the Geneva University Hospital and the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, aligns with the World Health Organization directives for transparency and best practices in the field of transplantation. Relevant data have been regularly collected from numerous sources (scientific publications, congresses, press articles, and declarations of International Xenotransplantation Association members) by a dedicated team in Switzerland and China, ensuring rigorous verification. The initial information is used to create a first entry in the database, which is then completed when more details become available. As of May 2024, the inventory contained 54 entries of distinct xenotransplantation procedures undertaken on humans. From these data, various trends can be observed over the past 2 decades regarding the type of transplantation, their regulation status, and the source animal. Notably, recent high-profile cases of solid organ transplantation involving kidneys and hearts were made feasible through years of progressive xenotransplantation research and ongoing changes to regulations. Recent clinical applications of solid organ xenotransplantation suggest that more clinical procedures may soon follow for patients with end-stage kidney or heart disease or diabetes. Future perspectives advocate for increased funding and expansion of the current registry or its potential integration into a larger and more broadly internationally recognized registry, such as the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation.

Nurse Specialist in the Organ and Tissue Donation Process with Coordination Role: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: In recent years, the introduction of specialist nurses, such as donation coordinator nurses, has been proposed as a potentially effective strategy to increase the number of donations and improve the quality of the process. However, experiences in this field are still limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of this professional in health systems, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Methods: A scoping review was performed. Studies published from 1990 to 2024 were included regardless of the study design. The bibliographic search was performed on the databases MedLine, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo and on the search engines EBSCOhost, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The search strings included keywords such as organ donation, transplant, procurement, and nursing role. The extraction and selection of articles were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and with the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews. The protocol study was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework database on 3 December 2023, with registration number osf.io/wzxr3. Results: From the included studies, it emerged that the involvement of a nurse coordinator in the donation process is significantly associated with an increase in the number of organ donors and higher rates of family consent to donation. Additionally, the studies highlighted enhanced effectiveness in identifying potential donors and improvements in the training and preparedness of healthcare staff. Conclusions: The nurse coordinator in the donation process can have positive effects both on the management of the process and on the increase in the number of organ and tissue donations.

[Extracorporeal organ support as a bridging strategy to enable organ donation-a case report with literature review]

We report the case of a young patient with severe hypoxic brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, resulting in brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC). Consistent with the patient's expressed wishes, treatment was sustained to facilitate organ donation. However, in the context of a severe post-resuscitation syndrome and physiological disturbances resulting from BD/DNC, refractory circulatory shock ensued. Stabilization was only possible by mechanical circulatory support (MCS). By implementation of MCS for extracorporeal organ support (ECOS), successful organ donation was rendered possible. Further debate is required concerning ethical issues, particularly concerning resource distribution, the timing of ECOS in relation to the diagnosis of BD/DNC and concerning specific consent for the invasive procedure. Until guidelines are presented, we believe that ECOS should be considered in the management of select potential donors in severe shock even before, and certainly after the diagnosis of BD/DNC.

The International Human Xenotransplantation Inventory: Current Data and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

The global demand for organ transplantation outpaces supply, necessitating innovative solutions. Xenotransplantation, using animal organs, cells, and tissues, is a promising solution to address the organ shortage. The World Health Organization and the International Xenotransplantation Association collaboratively established an online inventory in 2006 (www.humanxenotransplant.org) to catalog human xenotransplantation practices. The inventory, managed successively by the Geneva University Hospital and the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, aligns with the WHO directives for transparency and best practices in the field of transplantation.

METHODS

Relevant data have been regularly collected from numerous sources (scientific publications, congresses, press articles, declarations of International Xenotransplantation Association members) by a dedicated team in Switzerland and China ensuring rigorous verification. The initial information is used to create a first entry in the database which is then completed when more details become available.

RESULTS

As of May 2024, the inventory contained 54 entries of distinct xenotransplantation procedures undertaken on humans. From these data, various trends can be observed over the last two decades regarding the type of transplantation, their regulation status, and the source animal. Notably, recent high-profile cases of solid organ transplantation involving kidneys and hearts were made feasible through years of progressive xenotransplantation research and ongoing changes to regulations.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent clinical applications of solid organ xenotransplantation suggests that more clinical procedures may soon follow for patients with end-stage kidney or heart disease, or diabetes. Future perspectives advocate for increased funding and expansion of the current registry or its potential integration into a larger and more broadly internationally recognized registry, such as the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT).

The future of liver transplantation

Over the last 50 years, liver transplantation has evolved into a procedure routinely performed in many countries worldwide. Those able to access this therapy frequently experience a miraculous risk-benefit ratio, particularly if they face the imminently life-threatening disease. Over the decades, the success of liver transplantation, with dramatic improvements in early posttransplant survival, has aggressively driven demand. However, despite the emergence of living donors to augment deceased donors as a source of organs, supply has lagged far behind demand. As a result, rationing has been an unfortunate focus in recent decades. Recent shifts in the epidemiology of liver disease combined with transformative innovations in liver preservation suggest that the underlying premise of organ shortage may erode in the foreseeable future. The focus will sharpen on improving equitable access while mitigating constraints related to workforce training, infrastructure for organ recovery and rehabilitation, and their associated costs. Research efforts in liver preservation will undoubtedly blossom with the aim of optimizing both the timing and conditions of transplantation. Coupled with advances in genetic engineering, regenerative biology, and cellular therapies, the portfolio of innovation, both broad and deep, offers the promise that, in the future, liver transplantation will not only be broadly available to those in need but also represent a highly durable life-saving therapy.

Management of Potential Organ Donor: Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine-Position Statement

This position statement is documented based on the input from all contributing coauthors from the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), following a comprehensive literature review and summary of current scientific evidence. Its objective is to provide the standard perspective for the management of potential organ/tissue donors after brain death (BD) in adults only, regardless of the availability of technology. This document should only be used for guidance only and is not a substitute for proper clinical decision making in particular circumstances of any case. Endorsement by the ISCCM does not imply that the statements given in the document are applicable in all or in a particular case; however, they may provide guidance for the users thus facilitating maximum organ availability from brain-dead patients. Thus, the care of potential brain-dead organ donors is "caring for multiple recipients."

How to cite this article

Zirpe K, Pandit R, Gurav S, Mani RK, Prabhakar H, Clerk A, et al. Management of Potential Organ Donor: Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine-Position Statement. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S249-278.

Better liver transplant outcomes by donor interventions?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Donor risk factors and events surrounding donation impact the quantity and quality of grafts generated to meet liver transplant waitlist demands. Donor interventions represent an opportunity to mitigate injury and risk factors within donors themselves. The purpose of this review is to describe issues to address among donation after brain death, donation after circulatory determination of death, and living donors directly, for the sake of optimizing relevant outcomes among donors and recipients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies on donor management practices and high-level evidence supporting specific interventions are scarce. Nonetheless, for donation after brain death (DBD), critical care principles are employed to correct cardiocirculatory compromise, impaired tissue oxygenation and perfusion, and neurohormonal deficits. As well, certain treatments as well as marginally prolonging duration of brain death among otherwise stable donors may help improve posttransplant outcomes. In donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD), interventions are performed to limit warm ischemia and reverse its adverse effects. Finally, dietary and exercise programs have improved donation outcomes for both standard as well as overweight living donor (LD) candidates, while minimally invasive surgical techniques may offer improved outcomes among LD themselves.

SUMMARY

Donor interventions represent means to improve liver transplant yield and outcomes of liver donors and grafts.

Targeted delivery strategies: The interactions and applications of nanoparticles in liver diseases

In recent years, nanoparticles have been broadly utilized in various drugs delivery formulations. Nanodelivery systems have shown promise in solving problems associated with the distribution of hydrophobic drugs and have promoted the accumulation of nanomedicines in the circulation or in organs. However, the injection dose of nanoparticles (NPs) is much greater than that needed by diseased tissues or organs. In other words, most of the NPs are localized off-target and do not reach the desired tissue or organs. With the rapid development of biodegradable and biosafety nanomaterials, the nanovectors represent assurance of safety. However, the off-target effects also induce concerns about the application of NPs, especially in the delivery of gene editing tools. Therefore, a complete understanding of the biological responses to NPs in the body will clearly guide the design of targeted delivery of NPs. The different properties of various nanodelivery systems may induce diverse interactions between carriers and organs. In this review, we describe the relationship between the liver, the most influenced organ of systemic administration of NPs, and targeted delivery nanoplatforms. Various transport vehicles have adopted multiple delivery strategies for the targeted delivery to the cells in the homeostasis liver and in diseased liver. Additionally, nanodelivery systems provide a novel strategy for treating incurable diseases. The appearance of a targeted delivery has profoundly improved the application of NPs to liver diseases.

Active Donor Management Goals in Serial Donors After Brain Death

OBJECTIVES

Management of potential organ donors is crucial in the donation process, considering that hemodynamic instability is quite common.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the this single-center retrospective observational study, we analyzed 87 utilized brain death donors consecutively admitted to our intensive care unit from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022. We assessed the achievement of donor management goals during the observation period, and we also evaluated whether the achieve-ment of donor goals differed between younger and older donors (arbitrary age cutoff of 65 years).

RESULTS

In our series, mean age of donors was 67 ± 18 y, and organ-per-donor ratio was 2.3. The number of donor goals significantly increased during the 6-hour observation period (P < .001) and all donor goals were achieved in most donors (84/87) at the end of the observation period with no changes in the use and dose of vasoactive drugs. With respect to age, the number of donor goals was significantly higher in older donors at first evaluation, but goals significantly increased in both age subgroups of donors at the end of the 6-hour observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data strongly suggested that a strict hemodynamic monitoring schedule allows the achievement of donor goals both in older and in younger brain death donors. We confirmed our previous findings that hemodynamic management in brain death donors is influenced by age. A strict hemodynamic monitoring schedule of brain death donors is useful to consistently achieve donor goals.

Haemodynamic management in brain death donors: Influence of aetiology of brain death

BACKGROUND

In brain death donors (BDDs), donor management is the key in the complex donation process. Donor management goals, which are standards of care or clinical parameters, have been considered an acceptable barometer of successful donor management.

AIM

To test the hypothesis that aetiology of brain death could influence haemodynamic management in BDDs.

METHODS

Haemodynamic data (blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, lactate, urine output, and vasoactive drugs) of BDDs were recorded on intensive care unit (ICU) admission and during the 6-h observation period (Time 1 at the beginning; Time 2 at the end).

RESULTS

The study population was divided into three groups according to the aetiology of brain death: Stroke (n = 71), traumatic brain injury (n = 48), and postanoxic encephalopathy (n = 19). On ICU admission, BDDs with postanoxic encephalopathy showed the lowest values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure associated with higher values of heart rate and lactate and a higher need of norepinephrine and other vasoactive drugs. At the beginning of the 6-h period (Time 1), BDDs with postanoxic encephalopathy showed higher values of heart rate, lactate, and central venous pressure together with a higher need of other vasoactive drugs.

CONCLUSION

According to our data, haemodynamic management of BDDs is affected by the aetiology of brain death. BDDs with postanoxic encephalopathy have higher requirements for norepinephrine and other vasoactive drugs.

Anesthetic Considerations of Organ Procurement After Brain and Cardiac Death: A Narrative Review

Organ donation procedures have become more frequent in the US as the need for transplants is increasing. Defining the anesthesiologist's role in organ donations after brain and cardiac death is important, as is understanding its ethics and practical physiologic and perioperative implications. Despite this, there are few papers specifically addressing the anesthetic management of organ donors. This review summarizes the preoperative, intraoperative, and postmortem considerations for the anesthesiologist involved in organ donation after either brain or cardiac death. A search of the published literature was performed using PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), and Google Scholar in March of 2022 for articles addressing anesthetic considerations of organ procurement surgeries after brain and cardiac death. This review demonstrates that anesthesiologists play a significant role in the organ procurement process. Their role in the perioperative management of the donor may affect the outcomes of organ transplantation. The gap between the number of organs harvested and the number of patients awaiting organ transplantation remains high despite continued efforts to increase the number of available organs. Perioperative management of organ donors aims at counteracting the associated unique physiologic derangements and targets optimization of oxygenation of the organs intended for procurement. Optimizing care after death can help ensure the viability of organs and the best outcomes for recipients. As organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) becomes more frequent in the US, anesthesiologists should be aware of the DCD classifications of donors and emerging novel perfusion techniques.

Research and Innovation in Organ Donation: Recommendations From an International Consensus Forum

This report provides recommendations from the Research and Innovation domain as part of the International Donation and Transplantation Legislative and Policy Forum (hereafter the Forum) to provide expert guidance on the structure of an ideal organ and tissue donation and transplantation system. The recommendations focus on deceased donation research and are intended for clinicians, investigators, decision-makers, and patient, family, and donor (PFD) partners involved in the field.

Methods

We identified topics impacting donation research through consensus using nominal group technique. Members performed narrative reviews and synthesized current knowledge on each topic, which included academic articles, policy documents, and gray literature. Using the nominal group technique, committee members discussed significant findings, which provided evidence for our recommendations. The Forum's scientific committee then vetted recommendations.

Results

We developed 16 recommendations in 3 key areas to provide stakeholders guidance in developing a robust deceased donor research framework. These include PFD and public involvement in research; donor, surrogate, and recipient consent within a research ethics framework; and data management. We highlight the importance of PFD and public partner involvement in research, we define the minimum ethical requirements for the protection of donors and recipients of both target and nontarget organ recipients, and we recommend the creation of a centrally administered donor research oversight committee, a single specialist institutional review board, and a research oversight body to facilitate coordination and ethical oversight of organ donor intervention research.

Conclusions

Our recommendations provide a roadmap for developing and implementing an ethical deceased donation research framework that continually builds public trust. Although these recommendations can be applied to jurisdictions developing or reforming their organ and tissue donation and transplantation system, stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate and respond to their specific jurisdictional needs related to organ and tissue shortages.

Therapeutic donor hypothermia following brain death to improve the quality of transplanted organs

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

This review aims to examine the benefits and harms of therapeutic donor hypothermia in recipients or organs donated after brain death.

Hemodynamic Effects of High-dose Levothyroxine and Methylprednisolone in Brain-dead Potential Organ Donors

BACKGROUND

Hormonal replacement therapy is administered to many brain-dead organ donors to improve hemodynamic stability. Previous clinical studies present conflicting results with several randomized studies reporting no benefit.

METHODS

Consecutive adult donors (N = 199) were randomized to receive high-dose levothyroxine, high-dose methylprednisolone, both (Combo), or no hormonal therapy (Control). Vasopressor requirements using the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) were assessed at baseline, 4 h, and at procurement. Crossover to the Combo group was sufficient to require separate intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses.

RESULTS

In the intention-to-treat analysis, the mean (±SD) reduction in VIS from baseline to procurement was 1.6 ± 2.6, 14.9 ± 2.6, 10.9 ± 2.6, and 7.1 ± 2.6 for the levothyroxine, methylprednisolone, Combo, and Control groups, respectively. While controlling for the baseline score, the reduction in VIS was significantly greater in the methylprednisolone and Combo groups and significantly less in the levothyroxine group compared with controls. Results were similar in the per-protocol analysis.

CONCLUSION

High-dose methylprednisolone alone or in combination with levothyroxine allowed for significant reduction in vasopressor support in organ donors. Levothyroxine alone offered no advantage in reducing vasopressor support. Organ yield, transplantation rates, and recipient outcomes were not adversely affected.

Outcome measures in solid organ donor management research: a systematic review

AIM

We systematically reviewed published outcome measures across randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of donor management interventions.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted in accordance with recommendations by the Cochrane Handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and trial databases from 1980 to February 2021 for RCTs of donor management interventions.

RESULTS

Twenty-two RCTs (n=3432 donors) were included in our analysis. Fourteen RCTs (63.6%) reported a primary outcome relating to a single organ only. Eight RCTs primarily focused on aspects of donor optimisation in critical care. Thyroid hormones and methylprednisolone were the most commonly evaluated interventions (five and four studies, respectively). Only two studies, focusing on single organs (e.g. kidney), evaluated outcomes relating to other organs. The majority of studies evaluated physiological or biomarker-related outcomes. No study evaluated recipient health-related quality of life. Only one study sought consent from potential organ recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of RCTs evaluating donor management interventions only assessed single-organ outcomes or effects on donor stability in critical care. There is a need for an evaluation of patient-centred recipient outcomes and standardisation and reporting of outcome measures for future donor management RCTs.

Interventional and Surgical Treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Despite significant advancements in pharmacological treatment, interventional and surgical options are still viable treatments for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), particularly idiopathic PAH. Herein, we review the interventional and surgical treatments for PAH. Atrial septostomy and the Potts shunt can be useful bridging tools for lung transplantation (Ltx), which remains the final surgical treatment among patients who are refractory to any other kind of therapy. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) remains the ultimate bridging therapy for patients with severe PAH. More importantly, VA-ECMO plays a crucial role during Ltx and provides necessary left ventricular conditioning during the initial postoperative period. Pulmonary denervation may potentially be a new way to ensure better transplant-free survival among patients with the aforementioned disease. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. As established, obtaining the Eisenmenger physiology among patients with severe pulmonary hypertension by creating artificial defects is associated with improved survival. However, right-to-left shunting may be harmful after Ltx. Closure of the artificially created defects may carry some risk associated with cardiac surgery, especially among patients with Potts shunts. In conclusion, PAH requires an interdisciplinary approach using pharmacological, interventional, and surgical modalities.